Louisville KY vs Memphis TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.4% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 25.0% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.7% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $51,211 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $32,314 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.3% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 22.5% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 28.2% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 46.0% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 639 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2350 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 54.9 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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